Newborn + Postpartum Favorites

Before having a baby, I had no idea what I’d really need or love. I put together my registry sort of blindly, and while many of the items I picked have panned out nicely, I’ve also discovered some favorites for mama and baby over the past couple months that I thought I’d share.

FOR MAMA

Bamboo Belly Bandit // Before Jack was born, I was super worried about my postpartum body and convinced it would take forever for my tummy to be like it was before. But thanks to the Belly Bandit, I was totally wrong. I wore it pretty consistently during the day for the first several weeks, then off and on after that until about 6 weeks when I realized everything had gone back into place. It’s amazing how effective this was! I definitely recommend the bamboo, too, as it’s much softer than the other ones they sell.

Baby Carriers // It’s no secret I’m a Solly Baby fanatic. I wear one of these wraps every single day and it’s the only way I get anything done! It’s wonderful to have my hands free, and it lulls Jack into a peaceful slumber when I take him for walks in it. I love these wraps so much, I’ve started buying them for friends who are expecting. That being said, I’m also a big fan of the Ergobaby 360 as a carrier for bigger babies or for days when you want more of a structured carrier.

Nike Free Shoes // Morning walks (with homemade lattes) have become part of my regular routine with the little guy. He takes his first nap of the day wrapped up in the baby carrier, and I get some precious time to myself—to exercise, think, shop, text friends and even to get some emails or blogging done. It’s amazing how many ideas I get when I’m out and about getting fresh air in my lungs.

Kindle Paperwhite // Breastfeeding means a lot of down time, and while I still watch a good deal of Netflix, I’ve tried to also squeeze in more reading. I made an investment in the Kindle before Jack was born and it has proven to be a really smart buy. It’s lightweight and easy to hold with one hand, plus I can read during middle-of-the-night nursing sessions thanks to the built-in light. (NOTE: While I personally have the Paperwhite, if I were to buy a Kindle now, I’d totally go for the new Kindle Voyage. It looks like perfection.)

Backpack Diaper Bag // Though I love the idea of a cute over-the-shoulder bag, the reality is, it’s pretty tough to haul around a big tote full of baby stuff when you’re pushing a stroller or wearing your baby in a carrier. Backpacks are much easier on the back (surprise, surprise) and easily carry everything I need for the little guy. For a simple and affordable option, try this Target Slouchy Backpack. Or for a serious bag with all the bells and whistles, check out the Leader Bag Co Julien Backpack.

BKR Water Bottle // I admit, I often get so distracted by caring for Jack during the day—or stranded on the couch nursing him—that I forget to drink enough water. Having a water bottle filled up makes it much easier to hydrate, though, and this one is my favorite. Water just tastes so much better from glass!

FOR BABY

Baby Bjorn Bouncer // Simple, beautifully designed, and (thankfully) neutral, this beautiful bouncer has been a favorite of ours. I decided to make the investment when I visited a friend and saw her daughter lounging in it. I love that it’s not motorized at all, which helps develop motor skills and balance in a natural way. It has three angles—sleep, rest and play—and it can be folded completely flat, so it’s super easy to take with me to my parents’ house or even just to a friend’s house for the afternoon. Oh, and the wooden toy attachment is awesome, too!

Comotomo Bottles // While Jack isn’t completely sold on drinking from a bottle yet, we’ve definitely had the most success with these ones. They’re not only beautifully designed, they’re also safe for baby—BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free.

Carter’s Baby Clothes // Okay, so this isn’t fancy or novel—I mean, they sell these at Target! But for real, Carter’s totally has their baby clothes game down and are pretty much always having a sale. Recently I took a trip to one of their stores and found the sweetest little outfits for Jack—including this insanely adorable nautical one. (P.S. Sign up for their emails for constant discounts!)

Aiden + Anais Easy Swaddle // When Jack was tiny, we used the Carter’s blankets to swaddle him at night. Early on, though, he got quite strong and consistently was busting out of the blankets. Thus, we now rely on these easy swaddles—which have sturdy snaps—to keep him wrapped up tight and therefore asleep for longer. They’re a lifesaver!

4moms Breeze // I love how sleek looking and simple-to-use this playard is. The removable bassinet has been awesome for Jack during these early months (he slept in it next to our bed until we transitioned him to his crib), and it’s been super easy to bring to my parents’ house when we visit them. I know we’ll continue to get a lot of use out of this, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s not hideous like most of the playards on the market these days.

Motorola Video Monitor // We originally registered for a more simple video monitor and promptly returned it when we realized we couldn’t move the camera remotely—a feature we’ll be thankful for as Jack gets older and wiggles around in his crib!

Pottery Barn Farmyard Activity Gym // After much searching, I found this adorable activity gym and am completely obsessed. It’s colorful and fun without being too loud and obnoxious. Plus…farmyard animals. Does it get cuter? Another great pick is this Wee Workout Baby Gym.

UPDATE 4/6/15: I’d also add The Happy Sleeper book to this list. After a rough patch during the dreaded 4 month sleep regression, I read the whole thing in one day and it has completely changed our approach to sleep. Jack has been happy and well-rested ever since!

What are your favorite newborn and postpartum products?

(Full disclosure: the Belly Bandit was sent to me to try out, but I did not receive any compensation. I also was gifted my Solly Baby Wraps, and am currently doing a sponsored series with them. All words and thoughts are my own—I only write about products I love and/or personally use.)

AshleyL

January 14, 2015 at 9:55 pm

Ikea has some really nice baby toys. A lot of them are most wood and well thought out. We have a play yard thing that our little one has enjoyed so much and really helped with her hand eye coordination. She still plays with it by sitting in front of it instead of laying under it. Best $30 I ever spent.

I love these baby + mama lists! We’re expecting our first in a few months and it’s so helpful to hear from others about products and items that are effective. I already have one of the Solly wraps, and so excited to use it in a few months! :)

Erica T

January 15, 2015 at 1:58 pm

Thank you for being honest and upfront about your sponsored/gifted posts. It feels a lot more genuine than other blogs when you just put it out there. Loving the Solly Wrap and Belly Bandit myself! All great recommendations.

This is such a great list. There are an abundance of products and having a tried and true list of what has worked for you and baby Jack is helpful. Keep the updates coming as he gets older and transitions into new phases!